Second day of filing brings three candidates

Two political newcomers and an incumbent threw their hats in the ring for political offices on the second day of filing for municipal elections at the Davidson County Board of Elections.

BY DARRICK IGNASIAKThe Dispatch

Two political newcomers and an incumbent threw their hats in the ring for political offices on the second day of filing for municipal elections at the Davidson County Board of Elections.Monday saw Lynn Griggs and Randy Lovett file for the three town council seats up for election in Midway. Ronald Bratton, an incumbent, filed for re-election to the Thomasville City Council. The filings of the three men mean 16 people have filed since filing began at noon Friday for the Wallburg, Lexington, Midway, Thomasville and Denton races. Filing for the municipal election ends July 19.All seven city council seats in Thomasville, as well as the mayor, are up for election. So far, Bratton, Jason Varner, who is in his second attempt for city council, Joe Leonard, who filed for the first time for city council, and Raleigh York Jr., an incumbent, have filed for the city council seats. Thomasville Mayor Joe Bennett also filed Friday for re-election.Bratton, 61, is seeking his third consecutive term on the Thomasville City Council. He retired as chief of the Thomasville Police Department in 2009 after 35 years with the agency."I think we've got some unfinished business," Bratton said as he commented on why he's seeking re-election.Bratton explained he wants to continue the city's efforts in obtaining grants and loans for its wastewater system while also working to bring in new businesses. The former police chief wants also to see the Thomasville Police Department receive a new building as the agency's current one is what he calls "out of date.""It's not a very functional building," Bratton said. He listed numerous problems the building has previously had such as heating and cooling issues and water leaks.The three Midway council seats of John Byrum, Robin Moon and Sue Stephens are up for election. The town's mayoral seat, filled by Norman Wilkes, is not up for election until 2015. Lovett and Griggs were the first to file in Midway.Lovett, 54, retired two years ago from the information technology systems department for Forsyth County Schools. He is making his first run for Midway Town Council."I want to represent the people of Midway," he said.Lovett said he decided to seek election because of his unhappiness of the current council purchasing 37.53 acres at 426 Gumtree Road for more than $500,000 for a town hall. He said Midway officials do not have a maintenance department to take of the property, and a house on the property will not provide enough space for the council to have its monthly meetings.Additionally, Lovett wants Midway officials to contract with the Davidson County Sheriff's Office to permanently assign two deputies to the town. He also is unhappy that Midway has not put a speed limit sign in his neighborhood on Huntfield Drive. Lovett contends there is no speed limit sign in a neighborhood that often has children riding their bicycles on it."My big thing is that we can't put a speed limit sign in a neighborhood, but we can spend $500,000 on property that we can't use for years," he said.Griggs, 70, is retired from R.J. Reynolds. The Midway native has been on Midway's Planning and Zoning Board since 2006 when the town incorporated. Griggs, who farms hay, also owns the N.C. Century Farm along with his brother, Glenn. There, they have tours of the farm, which contains a museum and an Indian village."I don't have an ax to grind with anybody," Griggs said. "I just I thought I would like to serve."Griggs said he has a desire to serve as a councilman because he would have more of a voice as opposed to a member of the planning and zoning board. He said serving on the board means members serve at the pleasure of the council."It's not a bigger piece of the pie," he said of the planning and zoning board.Monday brought no new additional filings in Wallburg, Denton and Lexington. Municipal Election Day is Nov. 5.Darrick Ignasiak can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 217, or at darrick.ignasiak@the-dispatch.com.